Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Innocent Ike as the substantive group managing director (GMD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by Sunday Ekwochi, the company secretary, Access Holdings said the appointment takes effect on August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.
The company said Ike will succeed Bolaji Agbede, who has served as its acting GMD/CEO for the past 18 months and has played a vital role in driving the company’s performance.
“Due to regulatory stipulations on the required years of experience for a Financial Holding Company’s Managing Director, Ms. Agbede will revert to her substantive role as the Company’s Executive Director, Business Support,” the statement reads.
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“During Ms. Agbede’s tenure, Access Holdco achieved significant milestones, including ensuring workforce stability and seamless transition following the demise of the former Group Chief Executive Officer; successful execution of the Company’s N351 Billion Rights Issue and seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings of the Company.
“Her leadership and strategic vision have not only maintained the company’s momentum but also strengthened its competitive position in the industry.”
Commenting on the development, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman of Access Holdings, welcomed Ike, while appreciating Agbede for her outstanding contributions to the company.
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“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Innocent Ike as we move forward. At the same time, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Bolaji Agbede,” he said.
“Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the Company through challenges and opportunities.
“While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, we are grateful for the strong foundation that has been laid.”
According to the statement, Ike graduated from the University of Lagos with a BSc (Hons) in accounting in 1988, receiving recognition as the best graduating student.
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Access Holdings said he is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and a certified IFRS expert.
The company said he has over three decades of experience in banking and financial services, 10 years of which were spent at Access Bank, where he rose to general manager, overseeing portfolios in corporate, commercial, and public sectors.
“He served as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, during which he launched VULTe, the bank’s digital banking platform, earning several industry awards including the BusinessDay BAFI Digital Bank of the year award and the Nigerian Fintech Digital Bank of the year award in 2021 and 2022, respectively,” the statement added.
IKE PLEDGES TO DRIVE COMPANY’S VISION FORWARD
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Speaking on the appointment, Ike expressed his excitement in taking on his new role, and working alongside the talented team of the company.
“I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders,” he said.
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Access Holdings reiterated its commitment to becoming the world’s most respected African financial services group, adding that Ike’s leadership positions the company for sustained success and growth.
On Wednesday, Access Holdings announced that Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO of Access Bank, has resigned from its board as a non-executive director.
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